The Curve Fashion Festival 2017

#betheblogger
The Curve Fashion Festival is one of the highlights of my year and in my opinion the best place to meet up with a tonne of like-minded ladies to shop and catch up all under one roof. 


I have attended every year and it has always been a fab day filled with oodles of cuddles and selfies with so many women who I admire and don’t get to see often enough.


This year was exceptionally busy for me and I didn’t get much time to shop *boooooooo – that’s the best part*


I spent half the day literally prancing around in gown, crown and sash fulfilling my “royal” duties with my Miss British Beauty Curve family.


I love doing this as it allows people to see that being a pageant queen isn’t all about fitting into a certain stereotype.  Each of our queens are diverse and unique, all bringing different things to the family. 


I also had the pleasure of manning the Yours Clothing stand alongside the rest of the #YoursDreamTeam – Laura, Charl and Violet.  


We met so many fashionistas and bloggers alike some of which stopped to show us their fave pieces from the collection...

Shop these looks
Floral Duster//Red Leopard Print Shirt
Shop this look
Red oversized check shirt
Shop this look
Pink Culotte Jumpsuit
I even spotted a few lovely ladies wearing Yours too – that’s awesome to see so many ladies rocking the clothing;

Shop these looks
Floral Bardot Top//Tiger Embroidered Wrap Dress//Floral Cold Shoulder Top
I got to play dress up with Kate and Lottie as my dollies. Using my killer styling superpowers (I know I’m reaching here!) I managed to convince them to buy some of these awesome outfits and Katie has even tagged my in a recent pic where she wore the top out to a family occasion. I knew she would look fabulous in it, maybe my superpower is premonition! (I know, I know reaching again!)

Shop Lottie's look - Floral Cold Shoulder Dress
Shop Kate's looks - Black & White Checked Shirt
Floral Velvet Dress
I met a lovely lady called Lesh on the stand who was shopping with her mother and sister.  I needed to know how this woman looking so young could possibly have these two beautifully grown woman as her children, I was desperate to know her secret!  She was so stylish and they were all oozing charisma, it was such an honour to meet them.  I have since been contacted by Lesh, to let me know that she will be starting up her own personal styling service which is an awesome achievement, I wish her the very best of luck.


This lovely lady looked fabulous in this PU midi pencil skirt, so much so that we had to grab a twinning pic or two!

We got to hang out with two of the impeccably handsome Bad Rhino models, AJ and Brett, these guys are a hoot, so funny and outgoing plus they’re super easy on the eye so that’s always a bonus!


Priorities, Kat – what did you wear!?

Shop my look
T-Shirt//Shoes//Skirt
I teamed this slouchy Empowerment tee with a leather look pencil skirt and colour matched shoe wise with these converse style pumps.


I’m so excited for next year it’s always such an amazing weekend!

Did you come too?  What were your highlights?

Disclaimer
Written in collaboration with Yours Clothing UK as part of #BETHEBLOGGER

xXx

Fasten your seat belts, we're ready for take-off!

#psbloggers
Props to those glam women who opt for uber stylish travel outfits, but that's just not me.  I have one underlying rule for any plane journey; comfort!

Having a pilot boyfriend definitely has it's perks, like flying to Southend-on-Sea just for fish & chips, seeing the beautiful sights of England from miles above ground or roping him into taking some impromptu photos for you at a local airfield. Thank you Andy :) 


I'm going to show you three super comfy outfits, all available from Yours Clothing which are perfect for any plane journey.


I chose a pair of cuffed joggers, a basic t-shirt and a pair of converse style pumps creating an outfit that oozed comfort.

SHOP THIS LOOK
Joggers//T-shirt
When it comes to joggers I always go for the extra baggy look, so I chose a size 22/24 and they are perfect. Just how I like them. Lightweight enough to keep you cool if your travelling to warmer climes. For the t-shirt I chose a size 20, it's a nice length (no roll up) and it's not fitted in any way.


I wanted to also give you an outfit that is versatile enough to be able to wear out on the other side of your flight. 

 I teamed a pair black skinny jeans with this white sleeveless choker style top.
SHOP THIS LOOK
Rebellion Top//Black Jeans
This top is lovely and loose, I adore the slashed back, I may even add a few more slashes to customise this top further as I am really loving this look right now.  Plus it has my birth year on it - so it was always gonna be a winner. The top is a size 20 and I could have sized down to be honest.These jeans fit so well, they hug you in all the right places and they feel so soft, just like a second skin. I chose a size 20 for the jeans and they literally fit me like a glove.


The last option is the addition of this lovely red sweater.  I always get cold on planes, so I usually pack a light jumper, hoodie or oversized scarf to add another layer.

BUY THIS NOW
Red V Neck Jumper
I like my jumpers like I like my joggers, oversized and baggy. I went for a size 20 and it's roomy - perfect! 


All these outfits make for fab travel choices, they are not restricting in any way, they are breathable fabrics which don't overheat and keep you warm when necessary.


Check this out, I even got to "pretend" to fly!  Maybe we'll leave the flying to the one with the license, eh?!

What do you go for, for the holiday journey??

Disclaimer
Written in collaboration with Yours Clothing UK as part of #BETHEBLOGGER
xXx

My "New In" wishlist with Yours Clothing

#betheblogger
Why can't my bank balance be unlimited and the storage space never ending?

It's probably best that neither of things come to fruition any time soon, I most definitely don't have the space for any more clothes (Self, set a reminder to set up a blog sale to make more space for new stuff!) and if my bank balance had a face I'm sure it would be throwing me some seriously evil glances every time I use my card!

What else is a girl to do when funds don't permit... WINDOW SHOPPING!  Well proverbially of course, cos I'm doing it online, but come with me and check out some of the bits I am "throwing" in my basket this week...

I have been quite partial to a bardot this summer and this Limited Collection stripe and multi floral print top from Yours Clothing has caught my eye.
Buy NOW
I envision wearing this with a pair of skinny jeans and some comfy wedges, cross body bag and a cute choker for a weekend look which could carry from day to night easily.
Bardot Top//Skinny Jeans//Espadrille Wedges//Cross Body Tan Bag//Choker
I'm a sucker for a pretty dress so this skater dress is deffo getting thrown in the basket.  As you know I'm not particularly a fan of a cold shoulder but this dress is super cute.

Buy NOW
I adore the floral print against the pale blue it's got a very spring/summer vibe and that's just what I am looking for to brighten these dreary summer days!
The last item that I am loving right now is this pair of distressed slashed joggers.  

I picked up the black pair earlier on in the year and they are sooo comfy for just lounging around the house or running errands of a weekend.  You could also rock these at the gym, for a trendy take on active wear.  You may even start a follow me trend like Regina in Mean Girls (if you do not get this reference then where have you been my friend?)


Yours have some lovely bits out now and coming soon - why not check out their New In section and do a little shop of your own??

Disclaimer
Written in collaboration with Yours Clothing UK as part of #BETHEBLOGGER

xXx

Popping my Viva Voluptuous cherry

#vivaswim
Viva Voluptuous had me hooked from their launch party fashion showcase in January.  They dared to inject sexy and stylish lingerie into the plus size scene.  
Images courtesy of Viva Voluptuous 

There are very few brands who provide supportive, well fitting lingerie in ranges that are beautiful to look at and make you feel like a goddess wearing them especially in the larger back and cup sizes.


So when Viva V boasted that they were the the "new plus size lingerie brand on everyone's lips" on their flyers I needed to try their items for myself and see if they really were as good as they proclaim.


The vibrant colours and prints of the swimwear were calling me... I chose the "Antonella" & "Daisy" print sets to pop my Viva V cherry.

I was in search of fabulous support with killer cleavage in gorgeous designs. These two sets did not disappoint.  I chose a 38G size wise in both the bikini and the tankini. Both sets checked all boxes and provided decent support.



I received so many compliments from other plus size ladies whilst on holiday (and at home since I have been back) People are loving the eye catching colours and how supportive it looks.  They aren't wrong, these sets are fabulous. 



I was hooked, I had to get my hands on other sets.

As I already had the bottoms of the "Daisy" print set from the tankini, I ordered the matching bikini top and the "Audrey" set which I had seen and adored on Stephanie of Nerd About Town.



Viva V currently have a sale on all of their 2017 Spring/Summer Swimwear lines to make way for the new lines which I am sure will be just as stunning if not better than this year's range.

They are offering 20% off the range using code SUMMER20

Head on over to their website to take advantage of the offer or you could check out their stand at The Curve Fashion Festival on September 9th in Liverpool - Grab your tickets here before they are sold out.


Rating:  Overall - 9/10


Potential improvements:  I would suggest extending the ranges further in back sizes and cup, there is most definitely an appetite for it. The briefs could benefit from being a little more generous, whilst the sizes are true to size, I would have preferred a slightly higher waist.

Would I recommend these?  Without a doubt, the range caters for up to a 48 back and even an H cup in some lines, so there is definitely options for us top heavy ladies. Prices are fair and well worth paying that little more for the quality. The garments wash well and have seen me through a couple of holidays so far and still look brand spanking new. As they are relatively new brand I am really excited to see how they grow. 

Make sure to tag me in your holiday snaps wearing Viva V. I hope you love them as much as I do...

Xx

Female Empowerment

#betheblogger
I recently wrote a piece for the Yours Clothing blog talking about the need for women to be more supportive of each other.

As you may know I compete in pageants and I wanted to show that even in an situation where a group of women are physically competing against one another,  it is still possible for them to uplift and support each other at the same time.

In my opinion pageants have a bad rep for catty behaviour yet I have experienced such positivity and community from each one I have taken part in.

Head on over to the Yours blog to read the comments of a few of the contestants from the recent finals of Miss British Beauty Curve.

Read the Full Post here

Entries are open for 2018... Enter NOW!

xXx

Dressing for my shape - with Yours Clothing

#betheblogger
I've never really been one to conform to rules, so when "they" say I should wear this and that to suit my body shape I very rarely listen.  This is mostly because, I feel that everyone's body shape differs as do people's tastes and styles.  Telling me to find clothing to "flatter" my figure (which usually means hide my curves) just doesn't work for me and I am a firm believer in wearing whatever the hell you want to if you like it.



All that being said, I understand that people who struggle with finding clothes to fit them look to us bloggers for advice on how to find clothes that allow us plus size girls to accentuate and compliment all our jiggly bits whilst keeping on trend.  So, I'm gonna show you some of the struggles I encounter when shopping instead and tell you how I shop with these things in mind.

Firstly...

My height
I am 5ft 4 so finding trousers that aren't too long and don't end up needing me to take a trip to the tailors to make them wearable is real chore.  I am too tall by one inch to be classed as "petite" and regular is usually still that little bit too long to wear without alteration. This often results in me sticking with trousers like harem pants or tapered legs. As they are gathered at the ankle I don't need to have them taken up and even if they are on the generous side it matters not as I prefer these types of trousers to have a little slack in them (I like the baggy leg look)
Paisley Tapered Leg Trousers//Eyelet Detail Harem Pants

This usually extends to my choices for jeans too.  When I was younger, I often listened to what "they" had to say, followed trends in mags and on TV and opted for boot cut jeans. This only resulted in gross frayed and dirty edges to all my denim, I hadn't cottoned onto the wizardry of Wonderweb so all my jeans were ill fated. RIP bootcut jeans!
Nowadays - bootcut is a firm thumbs down for me. The wide bottom just does nothing for my short legs, just making them appear drowned in fabric and inches shorter than they actually are. When inches are so precious in the height department, I have none spare to give, so I have forged a firm alliance with the skinny jean and straight leg boyfriend jean.
Boot cut Jeans (if that's your thing) // Skinny Jeans

One trend that I adore but with my legs being so short I struggle to pull it off - Culottes.
This literally makes me soo sad! I love this jumpsuit and would love to rock it with some flat sandals or converse type pumps but alas, inches say no!  Shorties like me - fear not, there is a saviour.  You may not need to rule out these bad boys if you can just accessorise with a pair of killer heels or even a wedge heel!  The ONLY way I can gracefully pull of culottes is by offering the illusion of longer legs by adding heels. I usually opt for a bold colour heel to really make the outfit pop!

Culotte Jumpsuit // Tropical Print Heels
I like to accentuate my waist so I add waist belts to relatively simple tops to nip it all in.
My bestie Claire is wearing a Gypsy Style top// Waist Belt
Dress wise, I often opt for a bodycon. I refuse to be ashamed of my tummy, so I never shy away from a tight fitting dress.  I do like to create to smooth silhouette so I choose good supportive underwear and shapewear to accompany these dresses.  I love the way skater dresses taper in at the waist and often chose these too.

T-shirt style dress *Coming Soon* // Bodycon dress (ON SALE NOW) // AX Paris Lace Dress (ON SALE NOW)

I hope these picks will make you see that I very rarely stick to what the media says I should and should not wear.  I wear what I want and what I think looks good on me. The opinion of others about what I choose to wear doesn't phase me.  My Body My Rules!!

So do you know what that means for you?  You can do it too...when you shop, perhaps instead of looking for things to "flatter" your figure - why not decide if YOU like the item...if you do, into the basket it goes.  You will never know if you like something or not until you've tried it.  Just do it - if you don't love how it looks on, you can always return it.

Step out of your comfort zone - wear what makes YOU smile.

xXx

Disclaimer
Written in collaboration with Yours Clothing UK as part of #BETHEBLOGGER

xXx